JEDDAH: This was the closest to the real deal that is inter-regional basketball and yet the entertainment value it offered was, well, like the regionals.
The Riyadh select team was good as advertised. Basketball fans that thronged the Jeddah Sports Academy court enjoyed the action big time for two nights during the 1st Filsama Basketball League Invitational Battle of the Best exhibition series.
Never mind that the Eastern Province, now the hotbed of Filipino basketball talent in the Kingdom, was not represented although a slew of players from Jubail and Dammam came to reinforce Jeddah sides Rexona-Unilever and Love J Cargo.
In the final on Tuesday night, Rexona-Unilever of manager-coach Leo Rivera made sure the trophy stays in Jeddah, surviving a game Riyadh Selection managed and coached by Ver Dela Cruz and Polly Areallano to score an 83-80 victory before a cheering overflow crowd.
That brought a fitting end to an experimental project presented by Filsama, an association of Filipino salesmen and merchandisers in Jeddah, and Commissioner Abdulmoen “Teng” Laguialam of the Organizing Committee said they are looking forward to a better organized event of this kind during the Haj holidays.
“We will have a longer planning and preparation for our Haj project,” said Laguialam adding Filsama Basketball League would strive to give basketball-loving OFWs in Jeddah an outlet for their favorite pastime.
Earlier Tuesday night, RJM Cargo-Friendster of Jag Malit and Cris Melebo defeated Edwin Tulah’s Love J Cargo 97-87 in the third-place match. Allan de Castro, Ralph Garcia and JR Villegas led RJM with 24, 21 and 16 points.
Rexona-Unilever and Riyadh Selection, whose trip here was organized by Teddy Soriano and James Asis, set up the championship clash by beating RJM Cargo-Friendster 74-67 and Love J Cargo 87-81 during Monday’s opening games.
Rexona, sponsored by Unilever Brand Manager Feras Samir Yashou, and Riyadh both had to rally from 15 and 21 points down to pull out the win in pulsating contests that had the crowds to their feet.
With Joel Duallan controlling the middle and Buboy Rodriguez and Omar Osmad keeping the points coming Rexona went on an 8-0 tear in the fourth quarter to break the game open.
Love J Cargo coach Boy “Digital” Corsega had the visitors in trouble for most of the thrilling encounter. Getting a big lift from the Calo brothers Kim and Arnold, Love J had nursed a 9-point lead to begin the fourth quarter after leading by as many as 21 points at one stage.
But the tall Riyadh squad pounded its way inside to the basket and with only Ryan Aguam and Abril Mabaril left to carry the Love J offense against the trio of Roel Asay, Sherwin Garcia and Noel David, after Arnold and Kim fouled out inside the last four minutes, the issue was settled. Riyadh never trailed after taking the lead at 70-69.
Asmad shot 28 points for Rexona during the final match to go with 3 rebounds and 5 assists, while Rodriguez added 20 points including clutch free throws that turned the game around for the host team. Eldrin Simpas contributed 10 and Madmad Martinez 8 points.
Rivera took a gamble by fielding the ailing center Duallan who responded by pulling down a key rebound and hitting a free throw in the dying seconds as he teamed with Rodriguez in stopping Riyadh’s last-ditch rally.
Rexona opened up a six-point lead at 71-65 as Riyadh couldn’t buy a basket for almost three minutes, time down to 3 minutes and 11 seconds in the fourth quarter. But a potentially easy Rexona win turned into a tightrope act when Riyadh battled back to tie the score at 79-79 on a Paolo Malonzo floater in the lane, 42 ticks left.
With the game on the line, Rodriguez showed his experience with Shell in the PBA when he sank two pressure-packed charities off a foul by Slam Dunk king James Smith to give Rexona an 81-79 edge with 22 seconds to play. After Garcia inbounded the ball for Riyadh Jojo Custodio was fouled by Abdul Gafur Ibno and gave the visitors a chance to tie but his first free throw rimmed out and the second was an airball. The sides swapped free throws — one each by Rodriguez and Asay — before Duallan grabbed a crucial defensive rebound with 10 seconds left and hit another free throw off Asay to set the final count.
Prize-giving ceremony and fireworks courtesy of Sultan Al-Khaldi of JSA followed the championship game. Besides the slam dunk contest Erlyn Anne Miñoza won the search for the Ponds-Unilever Face of the Night. Laguialam thanked the participating teams and supporters including Ben Morales of TFC for helping make the event a success. With Laguialam in the committee are Ruben Villarosa assistant commissioner, Rene Valle finance officer, Leonard Nucum FBL coordinator secretary, Manny Manalo technical director, Willy Cartejena game announcer, Ramil Portillo statistician, Romy dela Cruz scorer, Toami Ali timekeeper and Sami Bungcarawan head marshall. Wilson Maata and Mohamad Bayoumi, recipient of the Presidential Banaag Award, are the FBL consultants.
